IOAS (Hebr. Jō'āf and Jēhō'āf; Greek: 'Iōzōz). – 1. King of Judah (836–797), son of Ochozia. Only one year old, he was rescued from the slaughter carried out by Athalia, hidden and raised in the Ioiada (v.). After 6 years, with careful precautions, the latter proclaimed him king on a Sabbath in the Temple, ordering the execution of Athalia (II Reg. 11; II Par. 22, 10 ff.; 23). I. reigned for approximately 39 years; he benefited from the pious Ioiada’s salutary influence. He took a personal interest in the repair of the Temple, which had been damaged by Athalia (II Reg. 12, 1-17; II Par. 24, 1-14). Toward the end of his reign, after Ioiada’s death, he allowed himself to be influenced by the syncretist party; and he had the inspired Zaccaria, son or grandson of Ioiada, killed in the Temple court, where he had rebuked the people for their renewed infidelity toward Jahweh (II Par. 24, 15-22; Mt. 23, 35; Lc. 11, 51). The following year (798), he was humbled by Hazael; I. freed himself from him by giving him all the treasure of the Temple and the royal palace. Immediately afterward he was murdered in his bed by two courtiers who avenged the blood of Zaccaria (II Reg. 12, 18-22; II Par. 24, 23-26).
2. King of Israel (798–783). Under him, the kingdom continued the rise barely begun by Ioachaz. Assyria, under Adadnirāri III, was pressing Damascus; I. took advantage of this: he defeated Benadad III three times, in accordance with the prophecy of the dying Eliseo (II Reg. 13, 14-19), reconquering the cities that Hazael had taken from Israel, at least those on this side of the Jordan (II Reg. 13, 10-13, 22-25). Challenged by Amasia, perhaps over a matter of family prestige, he defeated him at Beth-sames and took him prisoner; he entered Jerusalem, dismantled approximately 200 m. of the northern walls, took treasures and hostages, freed Amasia, and returned victorious to Samaria (II Reg. 14, 8-16; II Par. 25, 17-24).
The same name was borne by: 3. The father of Gedeone, of the family of Abiezer, of the tribe of Manasse (Iud. 6, 11; 7, 14; 8, 13, 29, 32). A lukewarm worshipper of Baal, he defended his son when he demolished Baal’s idol (Iud. 6, 29 ff.). – 4. The son of King Achab; when the latter set out toward Ramoth, he handed the prophet Michea over to him, so that he might keep him in chains (I Reg. 22, 26; II Par. 18, 25). The Amelech of the Vulgate is an erroneous translation of ham-melech, “the king’s” son. – 5. A descendant of Sela, of the tribe of Judah (I Par. 4, 22). The Vulgate (Securus) regarded it as a common noun. He led a victorious raid against Moab. – 6. A Benjaminite, one of the warriors who joined David
at Siceleg (I Par. 12, 3). – 7. David’s administrator for the oil stores (I Par. 27, 28).